Chapter Three

They were all looking around and could see nothing of significance about them. The path seemed to end and there were only trees and grasses to be seen. Sesshomaru stepped forward and raised his hand. There was a shimmer. It was a barrier. Sesshomaru walked through it.

Everyone stood with their mouths open. Then Sesshomaru's voice came from the other side. "Come Ah-Un. Jaken if you don't want to be left outside the barrier, I suggest you hurry up."

"Oh, oh yes. Follow me, my lady." They both passed through the barrier and glanced around in awe. "Wow! Oh my word!" Jaken stepped forward in awe.

In front of them was a palace surrounded with beautiful gardens. It was clean and well kept and in moment's notice two women and two men stepped from the house, came down to the path and bowed before Sesshomaru.

"Welcome home, my lord. It has been too long since you have visited us. Please won't you come in and rest." One of the males spoke with his head still bowed and held out an arm for Sesshomaru to pass by.

"Thank you. Ah-Un let Rin down, you may roam the grounds." He spoke to the dragon then began to walk forward until he noticed that Rin and the others were still looking around awestruck. "Rin, come."

Rin closed her mouth, smiled and ran to Sesshomaru's side. "Sorry my lord, your home is so beautiful!"

"Yes my lord," Jaken hurried to catch up with them. "I did not know you kept a house in this region. It is magnificent, absolutely wonderful. Don't you think so my lady?" Jaken looked up at Motoko who still looked amazed.

They entered the palace followed by the four silent servants. Sesshomaru led them to a central sitting area and moved to sit down on what appeared to be a throne. Once seated he crossed his legs and motioned for one of the females to come near.

"I would like some food for myself and Lady Motoko and see what you can find fit for a human child."

"Yes, my lord." The woman glanced at Rin who had come up to Sesshomaru and sat down at his feet.

"Lord Sesshomaru, I was not aware that this place even existed." Motoko finally spoke up.

"My father built this house years ago and now it is mine." He looked her steadily in her eyes. "No one else is to ever know of it." His voice seemed even colder if that was possible.

"Of course, my lord. I will never tell of it." She promptly assured him.

Just then the servants came in with food for all and they shared a silent meal. Rin spent a lot of time looking at Sesshomaru because she'd never seen him eat before. Soon enough though she was yawning, it was well passed the time when she was normally asleep.

"Kei, prepare a room for the child as well as my other guests."

"Right away my lord."

"Will you show us your home Lord Sesshomaru? It's so…so extravagant!"

Jaken managed to ask. Everywhere he looked was something deadly or beautiful and his mouth would drop open.

"Hmm, we will see." Sesshomaru stood when Kei appeared in the doorway. "Come Rin, I will see you to your room."

Demon and human left Jaken and Motoko alone. Both were too curious to sit still and wandered about the room looking at all the lovely and destructive treasures, Sesshomaru or his father had collected.

Walking down a long hall, Rin was beside Sesshomaru when she felt his hand upon her head. She looked up and smiled at him.

"Rin, you will stay here until Jaken and I return." He noticed that her face fell. "You will be safe here. Kei and the others will protect you."

Rin sighed deeply. "Will you be gone long?" She knew he had to go but hated being away from him.

At first he did not speak, they had arrived at her room and she ran around delighted in it. There was a huge bed and windows that led out into the garden, lots of soft pillows and some toys. Sesshomaru allowed himself a small smile as she laughed, obviously delighted with her room.

"Rin." Still smiling she ran back to him.

"Thank you for letting me sleep here Lord Sesshomaru. You'll come back soon won't you?"

Again he ran his hand over her hair. "I'll return shortly, this won't take long. Sleep."

"Wait," She called out as he turned to leave. "Will you be here in the morning?"

He looked over his shoulder, "I will see you in the morning, sleep Rin."

She smiled brilliantly, "Yes my lord, goodnight."

Sesshomaru considered his relationship with the child. They both depended on one another to be there and he would do all it took to keep her safe. He still wasn't sure of what he was doing but he would not now let her go. Rin was his. He went back to Jaken and Motoko.

"Jaken follow Kei and he'll take you to your room. Be prepared for we go to the village tomorrow."

"Yes, of course my lord." Jaken smiled as he left the two of them alone and wondered if Lord Sesshomaru would get any sleep this night.

He followed a silent Kei to a room. Again Jaken's mouth dropped open. "Is this for me? Oh, thank you!" Jaken dabbed at his eyes as he saw how well he was being treated. His room was covered with green silk drapes and matching sheets. The bed was so big; twenty imps could have slept in it.

Kei was amused by the imp. He had given him the smallest room in the palace, plus it was used manly for the unimportant guests. Kei let the imp enjoy it while he went to share the joke with the others.

Motoko looked over at Sesshomaru and her hands itched to tangle themselves in his hair. She spoke up in order to distract herself.

"So we go to rid my village of Yukiomaru tomorrow? I'm glad. He always thought too much of himself. We never expected him to return or to bring those other demons with him.

"Yukiomaru?" Sesshomaru was trying to recall the name.

"Yes, have you heard of him? I believe he's younger than you."

Sesshomaru gave a slight nod. "No, I don't know him or of him. A demon such as you have described should prove no obstacle."

Motoko nodded then tilted her head to one side. Sable hair fell over her shoulder. "Lord Sesshomaru, I remember something. It was after they had given me the antidote, I heard two of the wolves talking. They were cursing about having to follow a dog's orders and they mentioned that if he didn't have a jewel…a jewel shard, they could kill him and take over the village." Her eyes had been staring off into the distance as she talked but when she looked over at Sesshomaru, she froze. He showed no expression at all but she suddenly felt a terrible fear and she shivered.

"Naraku. He's behind this. He seeks to put obstacles in my path."

Motoko watched as he rested his head against the back of the chair. He seemed tense. After a moment she spoke, "Naraku?"

"Naraku is a collection of minor demons seeking to become a full demon. I intend to kill him. He has caused this siege of your village in order to slow my search for him, he must be near."

Those few words worried Motoko. It sounded as if he really wanted to go after this Naraku, but what about her village. She had to find out if he would still help her. Motoko went to go kneel at his feet. "My lord, can this Naraku wait? I still need your help to save my clansmen."

Sesshomaru's head came away from the chair to stare at her. Amber eyes took in her long sable hair and flawless features. His hand came up and one finger traced over the diamond on her forehead.

"Yes, I'll help you." He paused, then. "So, your earlier promise, will you keep it?"